Food Security: FACAN Sets Plan to Revamp Commodity Associations in Benue

The Benue State chapter of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) has launched a drive to reposition, reform, and strengthen commodity associations across the state.

State Coordinator, Mr. Vitalis Tarnongu, said the initiative aims to reinvigorate the associations, enabling them to adopt best agronomic practices to boost food production and improve yields.

In a letter to the FACAN National President on Monday in Makurdi, Tarnongu revealed that a committee had been set up to review the state’s commodity associations for better performance and coordination.

He said that since assuming office in March, he discovered the associations were in a “comatose state,” requiring urgent revival.

According to him, the committee uncovered several irregularities, including the fact that over 90% of commodity association leaders had remained in office for decades, contrary to FACAN’s constitution. Many of the associations, he added, are neither affiliated with their national bodies nor with FACAN.

Tarnongu also noted that most of the groups are poorly organised, unable to leverage modern farming practices, and often record low yields. He further observed that crop cultivation in the state is largely undocumented for economic planning, while most associations operate without clear structures or designated offices.

He called on the FACAN national secretariat to provide support in addressing these challenges and restoring the associations to functionality.